Where my stash money goes

July 21, 2017

The roof is done (and it has rained today and no leaks so ... so far so good. The balcony is back up and better than ever. The grass is back down and ... for now ... the renovations are over. Anglian still have to come back to repair their issues but that will be minor compared to the last week. Phew. Champagne is int he fridge.

We have also been out to the cinema today to see Dunkirk which was very very good. It was harrowing, but then the real thing was harrowing. I thought they showed the roles of all services well in focusing on several individual stories. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those there. Just too awful to contemplate and it is miraculous that they got anyone out let alone the incredible number they evacuated. And thanks to so many ordinary men and women who were anything BUT ordinary!

I have copied this from t'internet because I wanted to have it where I could see it and remember it

Here we reveal 40 amazing facts about one of our nation’s most stirring endeavours.

1. During May 1940 the so-called “ phoney war” came to an end as the Germans swept through Belgium and Northern France in a Blitzkrieg that left many soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force stranded as they were pushed back towards the sea.

2. The new prime minister, Winston Churchill, ordered the BEF’s commander, Lord Gort, to evacuate as many troops back to Britain as possible as the army retreated to the area around the port of Dunkirk.

3. On May 20 the British began formulating Operation Dynamo, led by Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay.

It was named after the dynamo room in the Dover cliffs where their operation HQ was based.

4. “Nothing but a miracle can save the BEF now,” said General Alan Brooke.

5. Initially it was estimated that just 45,000 men could be evacuated in 48 hours. Instead the operation was to become the biggest evacuation in military history.

6. A call was sent out for as many naval vessels as possible to help the Royal Navy – including small craft that could get close to the waiting soldiers in the shallow waters.

7. British civilians responded in their droves with everything from private yachts, motor launches, lifeboats, paddle steamers and barges joining the effort.

The craft came from as far away as the Isle of Man.

8. The smallest boat to take part was the Tamzine, a 14ft open-topped fishing boat, now in the Imperial War Museum.

9. On the eve of the operation a national day of prayer was declared with King George VI attending a special service in Westminster Abbey.

10. The evacuation began on May 27. Just 8,000 soldiers were rescued.

Some of the Little Ships at Ramsgate Royal Harbour

11. But over the next eight days a total of 338,226 Allied soldiers were successfully brought back across the English Channel while under attack on all sides.

12. As well as British forces a total of 140,000 French, Polish and Belgian troops were also saved.

13. The total number of vessels involved, including Royal Navy ships and civilian craft, was 933.

14. Around 200,000 men were picked up from the Dunkirk Mole – a long stone and wooden jetty at the mouth of the port.

Soldiers had to wait patiently while under attack from enemy aircraft.

15. The rest of the men were evacuated from the beaches, often having to wait hours in shoulder -deep water.

16. Around 700 “little ships ” took part often with civilians at the helm, picking up soldiers from the shallows.

They would then deliver the men to larger ships or take them all the way home.

17. Some were amazed at the patience of the troops. Signaller Alfred Baldwin recalled: “You had the impression of people standing waiting for a bus. There was no pushing or shoving.”

A paddle steamer called the Medway Queen made a total of seven round trips to Dunkirk and managed to rescue 7,000 men in total.

19. The Royal Daffodil, a Mersey ferry that also took part, was attacked by six German aircraft.

Despite being holed below the water line and having a bullet fly within inches of the fuel tank she still managed to limp back to port with her human cargo.

British prisoners and German soldiers, Dunkirk, France, 1940

20. One seaman recalled: “The little boats listed drunkenly with the weight of the men.”

21. The evacuation was aided by the fact that Hitler halted a full -scale attack on Dunkirk with his Panzer tanks – trusting that his air force would stop the Royal Navy from pulling off the feat.

22. The RAF fought hard to combat the bombs raining down on the men waiting on the beaches, flying a total of 3,500 sorties and losing 145 aircraft while the Luftwaffe lost 156.

23. A restored Spitfire which crashed on a French beach during the days of the period of the evacuation is expected to fetch £2.5million.

24. During the evacuation lorries were lashed together in the sea to construct makeshift jetties to help get soldiers aboard boats.

25. More than 200 ships and boats were lost during the evacuation with many tragedies . On May 29 the destroyer Wakeful was torpedoed and sank in 15 seconds with the loss of 600 lives. 26It is estimated that around 3,500 British were killed at sea or on the beaches and more than 1,000 Dunkirk citizens in air raids.

27. The overall success of the Dunkirk operation was partly down to British units such as the 51st Highland Division fighting a fierce rear-guard action.

28. In the retreat to Dunkirk some units had been ordered to “fight to the last man”.

29. During the escape to Dunkirk there were incredible acts of bravery such as that of Major Gus Jennings who died smothering a German stick bomb at Esquelbecq trying to save his fellow soldiers.

30. Then there was Captain Marcus Ervine-Andrews, who was awarded the VC after he single-handedly held off 17 Germans defending part of the Dunkirk perimeter, then led eight of his men to safety, wading through the canals in chin-high water.

31. There were also atrocities.

On May 27, 97 men from the Royal Norfolk Regiment ran out of ammunition and surrendered at the village of Le Paradis.

They were then shot in cold blood on the orders of the SS.

32. Around 40,000 British troops never made it back across the Channel and became P oWs.

33. Many of those ended up having to endure forced marches into Germany and served as slave labour for the Nazis, including working in mines and factories .

34. But a few of those left behind, such as Bill Lacey from Devon, made dramatic escapes. He stole a French fishing vessel and sailed it back to Britain on his own.

35 Also left behind in France was a huge amount of British military equipment including 2,400 artillery guns, 65,000 vehicles and 68,000 tonnes of ammunition. Some 445 British tanks were also lost.

36 Churchill hailed Dunkirk as a “miracle” but also warned relieved Britons that “wars are not won by evacuations ”.

37. He went on to give one of his most famous speeches to the House of Commons in which he vowed that: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!”

38. The phrase “Dunkirk spirit” has since become part of the language used to toast people who pull together in a time of adversity.

39. Hitler’s failure to capture the British army at Dunkirk has been called one of the great turning points of the war.

40. Today the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships is marking the 75th anniversary of the evacuation by organising a Channel crossing to Dunkirk involving 50 of the original craft that took part including the oldest, an 1892 sailing barge called Greta.

Nigel and I were incredibly moved a few years ago when we went to Dunkirk and saw the cemeteries and the huge walls of the names of those who did not make it (and seeing the film today we can only marvel that any did!) These are some photos of that trip.

It makes you realise how much we all have to be thankful for - every day.

On a lighter note there are new releases today from both Dawn Inskip and Pickleberrypop

March 06, 2017

We do like to have a walk every day and usually it is by water somewhere lovely.

Today was no less lovely but very different as it was shopping walking but still kept our step count up.

We had a troll round Matalan and Dunelm and The Range picking up bits and bobs. I actually went for replacement cheap jeggins. Since I have retired my wardrobe is very different and I am proud to say I haven't worn a skirt since June (those of you who know me well will know what that means for me ... heaven) I live in trousers and, when I am in the house which is most of the time - jeggins. Consequently since I have retired I have worn out a pair of boots, several pairs of socks (I used to rarely wear socks - always the hated tights) a pair of slippers and a pair of jeggins. Well in fairness Fiki helped a little with the jeggins as he finally ripped a hole in one leg climbing me! Did I mention I love my new life.

From there it was on to another retail park then two supermarkets (the first didn't have one of the things we wanted) and then sadly on to a funeral of a wonderful old man, the father of friends and a legend int he cycle speedway and speedway world. It was a lovely service, although I am still surprised when I go to humanist services ... each to their own but it is just very different for me. It was a wonderful tribute to a special man and the chapel was bursting at the seams, literally. There wasn't a seat left and at least a hundred people, possibly more, were standing all round the outside. A very fitting send off. It was shocking to think that it was 13 years ago we attended a funeral int eh same place, and even more packed, for his son who was younger than we are.

All in all, plenty of walking and standing and my 10000 steps logged with no effort at all.

I have new scrapping to share today.

It was made with a new collection by Jumpstart Designs and was just so gorgeous

I made this page of the every beautiful Alice

Today I am thankful for

a good man having a great send off

retirement clothes - good and casual (I stress we did change into smart suits for the funeral... I am not a complete slob yet!)

shopping - gotta love it

And finally, just because I think funerals make you think of your own loss and those funerals, I share the very famous reading Nigel used as part of the eulogy at Daddy's funeral.

I am standing on the seashore,A ship sails and spreads her white sails to the morning breezeAnd starts for the ocean.She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till at last she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says “ she is gone”.Gone where?Gone from my sight that is all.She is just as large in the masts, hull and spurs, as she was when I saw her,and just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination.The diminished size, the total loss of sight is in me not in her, and just at the moment when someone at my side says “She is gone”There are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up the glad shout.“here she comes.”And that is DYING.

November 10, 2016

Today has been a good day - well OK pretty much every day is now a good day but I have loved today.

I had a meeting with a very inspirational lady who has already done some amazing things and now I may have the chance of doing some work with her.

I am really very excited. She liked many of the things I enjoy creating and in many ways we are quite like minded and so I think it could be fun and creative and innovative and exciting.

Every part of me is so glad I took that early retirement. I was so done with the accountability, the hours, the pressure, the stress (though I miss the children terribly) Retirement has meant many changes in our lifestyle and we do very simple things ... free things ... but I would not swap it back for the world. I am my own boss, able to develop the things that make my boat float and able feel a whole new energy. (Actually some of that new energy is probably due to the fact I have more time in bed, am not stressed and actually sleep ... but heck!)

Last night I was creating a new range for craft fairs which I am excited by, and now I have a whole host of other creative opportunities PLUS I have a whole new opportunity still int he realms of educating children and history and have meetings about that next week.

I can see why retirees say they are very busy - I can see myself filling my days quite easily. But all to the good.

I feel inspired and inspiration is always worth sharing - I haven't put quotes on any of my photos for a while - so here is how I am feeling today ... and some pretty things to look at too. Just something I did in the last half hour as I was busy smiling.

April 06, 2016

Nigel was working all day today and so we had a bit of a role reversal. I was still in bed when he left for work. That almost never happens that way round! It was fun!

However I soon felt guilty and so was up doing some work of my own and then spent a pleasant day scrapping once I had finished what I had to do.

I have a new page to share today made with a new collection by Dawn Inskip called The Early Bird collection

I made a page with it about being really early birds. Not only did we go out early - we went for a walk in the bluebell woods too early for the bluebells. Ah well!

Today I am thankful for

tasks finished

a productive day

finishing a level of a game I had been stuck on for ages

Finally I saw a few quotes recently from Richard Branson. Like him or loathe him, I agree he is marmite but we are very loyal to the Virgin brand in so many of the things we do in our lives and I do admire much of his philosophy.

March 04, 2016

No blog yesterday as I was away at what will be my final ever conference. Well final until such times as they introduce interesting conference for retirees just because they can!

Or maybe a scrapping conference?

No - wait! They have those. They are called retreats and I haven't been on one in ages. Something else I plan on rectifying.

I digress. I was at Stratford- on- Avon for a very interesting Heads conference. There were some great speakers on things from preparing children for a future we cannot even really imagine to empowering girls and mindfulness. Much to think on and much to learn.

There was also great food (I hope that I haven't brought back food poisoning this year ... though in fairness although it coincided with conference it may have been nothing to do with that) and great company. Sometimes the most useful part is just chatting to other people who understand your role and you understand theirs.

Stratford is beautiful and the weather was lovely. Between seminars I went and sat by the river.

It was the view I also enjoyed whilst eating breakfast this morning.

So a good couple of days but I am shattered. It was a three hour drive each way and a late night. I am a bed at 10 girl so I am struggling, plus I don't think you ever sleep well away from home or loved ones. Early night tonight methinks.

I have new scrapping to share today - a page made with photos of a friends two beautiful daughters. I am blessed with friends with gorgeous children that I get to scrap and these two little girls are just lovely.

February 17, 2016

After the glorious days we have had this week I guess it was inevitable that someone would steal the sun eventually.

Today has been one of England's typical cold wet grey days - Bill Bryson's tupperware days.

However I had a lovely time. I met a friend in town for coffeee and catch up which was lovely and then did a little shopping. I hadn't intended to shop but as I walked past Saltrock they had a sale on and it would have been rude not to go in.

I was looking for a heavier weight zipped hoodie anyway and £25 instead of £59.00 for a gorgeous furry lined hoodie seemed a good deal to me. I also bought a really super quality top down from £45 to £12.50. Then I had a bonus. As I was paying they said I had earned a free t shirt. Any t shirt int eh store. Free as I had spent over £30. So Nigel got lucky too.

I do like Saltrock stuff. Almost as good quality as FatFace and when it is that cheap what is not to like.

I also did a little scrapping, doing the weekly on UKS.

I found it quite hard as is was to use just a colour from the photo - just one colour.

It is an 8 x 8 page as it is for the Treasure Trails album which is a smaller size. We do love our treasure trails and this was one from July last year to the Tarrants. It serves as a reminder that the simple things are often the best. I can't remember when I last made daisy chains and it was such fun. And it was a happy sunny picture for a grey day.

Today I am thankful for

company of an old friend

sale bargains

the beautiful lessons we can learn from the world around us

And I have a video to share today - just because I saw a skein of geese yesterday and we stopped and watched them and it reminded me of the motivational lesson we can all learn from the geese.

In my favourite park we have loads of Canada geese and I know they cause a fair number of issues but I always, always stop and admire them and watch them because of this message. We could learn so much!

November 04, 2015

I know today will be a bit of a rush and I won't have much time to do the things I need to do so I have two pages to share with you made for Nigel's birthday book which I haven't shared before.

The book was a labour of love ... 60 new digital pages ... but he was thrilled with it and so was I.

This was the very start of the book as it s the first picture in existence of the man himself.

There are not so many pictures of Nigel on his own as a child. I guess it is easy to forget in this digital age where we photograph the minutae of our ;lives that int he days of real film photos were few and far between and when you have 3 sons they tend to all be int he picture. It is also interesting that the photos of our childhood are of special occasions like birthdays, Christmas, holidays or a really special day. They are not just the everyday as that was expensive to snap.

I wonder how many f you remember the photo sessions where you had lots of little proof pictures? I had one session of me when I was little and this is Nigels'

Nigel's early years were black and white. So were mine, though oddly I do have some of me as a tiny baby that are in colour and my photos are all colour by the time I am about 3.

Today I am sure I am thankful that some of my dashing around this week is done. Not all, but some.

It's going to be a hard hard week.

The Charles Schulz Philosophy(This is marvellous!! Scroll thru slowly and read carefully to receive and enjoy full effect)

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.

Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies..

Awards tarnish..

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money...or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most

Pass this on to those people who have either made a difference in your life, or whom you keep close in your heart, like I did

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia!'

October 08, 2015

I have been to the doctors again about the verruca I have that I am sure I caught from the gym when I was a member.

It won't go. I have tried everything but apparently haven't tried enough. No the doctors will not freeze it off until I have tried the new stronger than bazouka gel and applied it every day for three month and filed it down every day for three month then they might - and it is a might - consider freezing it, if they are int eh right mood and if they feel it might work and if there is a Z in the month and the day of the week and they coincide with high tide and a blue moon. I despair.

I have tried every treatment known to man and to the internet - more than two years I have been battling with it ... I tell you ,my craft knife is looking very appealing at the moment!

Oh well - I hope in a mere three months time the stubborn little (well quite big actually) little devil has gone..

And in the great scheme of things it is not something bad. Plenty of people wished that was all they were dealing with. I have a sore foot - that is NOTHING! Absolutely nothing. I can walk and feel and move. Plenty of people cannot. Darcy Ward for one.

I have just watched the footage of last night's benefit meeting for Darcy at the stadium and sobbed my way through it. He has a long and very hard road ahead of him as he adjusts to a life he never expected nor planned and certainly doesn't deserve. I think he was incredibly brave to come last night and to speak to the crowds who love him and want to support him. He was brave and it was heartbreaking seeing him like it. And I have to add I was so very very proud of my Nigel. He loves his job as presenter but there are times when being the man in the middle with the mike is incredibly hard and last night was one such time. I think it took every ounce of his not inconsiderable self-control to hold it together whilst he interviewed the man everyone was there to help. He showed steely determination to get the job done as he knew that was one thing he COULD do for Darcy. Well done my darling and stay strong Darcy - so many people are rooting for you and you hold a very special place in our hearts. x

One of the many news reports ....

DARCY Ward delivered a poignant message to a packed Wimborne Road on what was an emotionally charged night at his own benefit meeting.

Ward, who was on loan at Swindon when he had his horror crash in Poland, attended tonight’s meeting in a wheelchair and had to fight back the tears as he thanked those who have supported him since the accident.

The chant of Darcy Ward rang out around the Poole Pirates stadium when the Aussie was brought out into the middle of the track after heat 10.

"I'd like to say thanks to my family whose support has been the most important thing so far.

"I see all the videos on Twitter of everyone chanting (my name), which is pretty cool, so big thanks for that.

"That's been a big part of keeping me going and trying to get through it.

"(The injuries) are only slightly better. It's been six weeks so it's early days.

"The back injury is pretty severe but I've got to keep pushing and we will see what we can do."

The Aussie was presented with a Book of Friendship, which held messages of support from fans, before being handed a cheque of around £26,000 raised by his Swedish club Piraterna Motala from their benefit meeting.

A host of speedway’s top riders turned out to ride in the meeting, including Swindon skipper Troy Batchelor and Nick Morris, with teams led by Maciej Janowski (Team Magic) and Chris Holder (Team Monster).

This makes for very very harrowing viewing but this is the link to Pirate Cast's coverage of the interview.

April 03, 2015

I have been doing a little reminiscing about past holidays the last few days and have scrapped some of my American photos from previous trips.

One of the most remarkable things we did was visit Death Valley int he middle of summer. I guess we subscribed to the view ... if you are gonna do it and experience the heat, then go when it is hot!

I remember the reaction of the immigration officer at LAX (usually they never crack a smile) when he asked where we were going and was, well gob-smacked I guess is the word. 'Um, you know it's hot right?'

It was hot - 124 degrees int he shade. I remember the feeling of being outside in a hairdryer. It was windy as hell and hot dry wind. At the ranch event he cold water was warm as it comes from underground pipes and the heat permeates.

But it was an amazing experience and one I am so pleased we had.

The photo on this page is from Zabriskie Point which was beautiful. It was a very short walk - and just as well as it was seriously HOT. I used a new collection by Keystone Scraps called World Traveller.

It's a great collection.

Speedway was cancelled today as the weather was bad over night and first thing - the rest of the day was lovely!

I also did something I rarely do - I just sat and relaxed. Not scrapping, not colouring just relaxing. It felt good.

Today I am thankful for

relaxation

bonus time

Finally I have to share this - I posted it on my Facebook page and it made me cry. Twice. Good teachers do an incredible job. All of them. All the time. For all kids.

I hope you enjoy this and are moved by it

Amy Murray is the director of early childhood education at the Calgary French & International School in Canada. The following post, which appeared on her blog, Miss Night’s Marbles and which I am republishing with her permission, is a powerful open letter directed to parents about THAT kid, the one other kids go home and talk about, the one who is violent, curses and gets angry in class, the one who parents worry will hurt, disrupt and perhaps influence their own children. Murray is also the co-founder of #Kinderchat (www.kinderchat.net), a twitter-based global community for educators of young children. She is a speaker and trainer on learning through play, self-regulation, behavior management, and the use of technology within the classroom.

Dear Parent:

I know. You’re worried. Every day, your child comes home with a story about THAT kid. The one who is always hitting, shoving, pinching, scratching, maybe even biting other children. The one who always has to hold my hand in the hallway. The one who has a special spot at the carpet, and sometimes sits on a chair rather than the floor. The one who had to leave the block center because blocks are not for throwing. The one who climbed over the playground fence right exactly as I was telling her to stop. The one who poured his neighbor’s milk onto the floor in a fit of anger. On purpose. While I was watching. And then, when I asked him to clean it up, emptied the ENTIRE paper towel dispenser. On purpose. While I was watching. The one who dropped the REAL ACTUAL F-word in gym class.

You’re worried that THAT child is detracting from your child’s learning experience.

You’re worried that he takes up too much of my time and energy, and that your child won’t get his fair share.

You’re worried that she is really going to hurt someone some day.

You’re worried that “someone” might be your child. You’re worried that your child is going to start using aggression to get what she wants.

You’re worried your child is going to fall behind academically because I might not notice that he is struggling to hold a pencil. I know.

Your child, this year, in this classroom, at this age, is not THAT child. Your child is not perfect, but she generally follows rules. He is able to share toys peaceably. She does not throw furniture. He raises his hand to speak. She works when it is time to work, and plays when it is time to play. He can be trusted to go straight to the bathroom and straight back again with no shenanigans. She thinks that the S-word is “stupid” and the C-word is “crap.” I know.

I know, and I am worried, too.

You see, I worry all the time. About ALL of them.

I worry about your child’s pencil grip, and another child’s letter sounds, and that little tiny one’s shyness, and that other one’s chronically empty lunchbox. I worry that Gavin’s coat is not warm enough, and that Talitha’s dad yells at her for printing the letter B backwards. Most of my car rides and showers are consumed with the worrying.

But I know, you want to talk about THAT child. Because Talitha’s backward B’s are not going to give your child a black eye.

I want to talk about THAT child, too, but there are so many things I can’t tell you.

I can’t tell you that she was adopted from an orphanage at 18 months.

I can’t tell you that he is on an elimination diet for possible food allergies, and that he is therefore hungry ALL. THE. TIME.

I can’t tell you that her parents are in the middle of a horrendous divorce, and she has been staying with her grandma.

I can’t tell you that I’m starting to worry that grandma drinks…

I can’t tell you that his asthma medication makes him agitated.

I can’t tell you that her mom is a single parent, and so she (the child) is at school from the moment before-care opens, until the moment after-care closes, and then the drive between home and school takes 40 minutes, and so she (the child) is getting less sleep than most adults.

I can’ tell you that he has been a witness to domestic violence.

That’s okay, you say. You understand I can’t share personal or family information. You just want to know what I am DOING about That Child’s behaviour.

I would love to tell you. But I can’t.

I can’t tell you that she receives speech-language services, that an assessment showed a severe language delay, and that the therapist feels the aggression is linked to frustration about being unable to communicate.

I can’t tell you that I meet with his parents EVERY week, and that both of them usually cry at those meetings.

I can’t tell you that the child and I have a secret hand signal to tell me when she needs to sit by herself for a while.

I can’t tell you that he spends rest time curled in my lap because “it makes me feel better to hear your heart, Teacher.”

I can’t tell you that I have been meticulously tracking her aggressive incidents for 3 months, and that she has dropped from 5 incidents a day, to 5 incidents a week.

I can’t tell you that the school secretary has agreed that I can send him to the office to “help” when I can tell he needs a change of scenery.

I can’t tell you that I have stood up in a staff meeting and, with tears in my eyes, BEGGED my colleagues to keep an extra close eye on her, to be kind to her even when they are frustrated that she just punched someone AGAIN, and this time, RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TEACHER.

The thing is, there are SO MANY THINGS I can’t tell you about That Child. I can’t even tell you the good stuff.

I can’t tell you that his classroom job is to water the plants, and that he cried with heartbreak when one of the plants died over winter break.

I can’t tell you that she kisses her baby sister goodbye every morning, and whispers “You are my sunshine” before mom pushes the stroller away.

I can’t tell you that he knows more about thunderstorms than most meteorologists.

I can’t tell you that she often asks to help sharpen the pencils during playtime.

I can’t tell you that she strokes her best friend’s hair at rest time.

I can’t tell you that when a classmate is crying, he rushes over with his favorite stuffy from the story corner.

The thing is, dear parent, that I can only talk to you about YOUR child. So, what I can tell you is this:

If ever, at any point, YOUR child, or any of your children, becomes THAT child…

I will not share your personal family business with other parents in the classroom.

I will communicate with you frequently, clearly, and kindly.

I will make sure there are tissues nearby at all our meetings, and if you let me, I will hold your hand when you cry.

I will advocate for your child and family to receive the highest quality of specialist services, and I will cooperate with those professionals to the fullest possible extent.

I will make sure your child gets extra love and affection when she needs it most.

I will be a voice for your child in our school community.

I will, no matter what happens, continue to look for, and to find, the good, amazing, special, and wonderful things about your child.

I will remind him and YOU of those good amazing special wonderful things, over and over again.

All About Me

I am Scrapdolly - frequently answering to just Dolly. I live with my soulmate Nigel, two cats and a Fiki monster and I love to scrap. Scrapping is my creative outlet, my daily therapy, my sanity restorer and where I meet my friends. Come share it with me.